Updating an application at a second device based on received user input at a first device

ABSTRACT

A method of generating a display object is provided, the method comprising operating a first processor comprised within a first device to: execute an application; generate an display object associated with the application; output the active display object on the first device; transmit the display object to a second device for output by the second device; and receive user input to the application via the display object output on the second device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a device, system and methodfor generating display data.

BACKGROUND

Mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones or tablet computers, maybe configured to output a grid of live thumbnails or ‘active tiles’which are representative of activities and/or content of ‘runningapplications’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure and the embodiments set out herein can be betterunderstood with reference to the description of the embodiments set outbelow, in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating components of an exemplaryelectronic device usable by a user in some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the upper external side of an alternativeexemplary electronic device usable by an end-user in some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the upper external side of one alternativeexemplary electronic device usable by an end-user in some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system in which theaforementioned electronic devices can be employed in some exemplaryembodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first electronic device in communication with anelectronic device;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing a method of generating display objects;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are example displays showing outputs of the generateddisplay objects.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are example displays similar to the displays depicted inFIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an exemplary method of receiving userinput via an electronic device;

FIG. 10 is an example display showing outputs of the generated displayobjects.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure below is a description of one or more exemplaryembodiments which are not intended to be limiting on the scope of theappended claims.

In a first aspect, there is provided a method for generating a displayobject. The method comprises operating a first processor comprisedwithin a first device to execute an application; generate a displayobject associated with the application; transmit the display object to asecond device for output by the second device; and receive user input tothe application via the display object output on the second device,wherein the first processor is not operable to receive user input to theapplication via the display object on the first device. A user istherefore able to interact with an application being executed on a firstdevice via a display object output by a second device. For example, theuser may input commands and/or data to an application being executed bythe processor of the first device. The method may further compriseoperating the first processor to: execute the application in accordancewith a user input received via the display object on the second device.

Additionally or alternatively, the method may comprise operating thefirst processor to update the display object in accordance with thereceived user input. For example, the user input received via thedisplay object may comprise data and the first processor may supply, orwrite, the data to the application or memory associated with theapplication.

The first processor may additionally output the display object on thefirst device. For example, the first device may display the displayobject on a display screen of the first device. The display objectoutput on the first device may be a read-only display object associatedwith the application.

The second device may output the display object by displaying it on adisplay. For example, the second device may display the display objecton a display screen of the second device and/or any other display thatis coupled (via any suitable wired or wireless connection) with thesecond device.

The first processor may be configured to modify the display object priorto its transmission to the second device for display. The firstprocessor may, for example, modify the format and/or one or morecharacteristics or parameters of the display object in accordance withrequirements or characteristics of the second device. For example, thefirst processor may modify the display object in accordance withrequirements of an operating system and/or display paradigm of thesecond device.

In one example, the display object is a data object and the methodfurther comprises the first processor rendering the display object foroutput on the first device; and a second processor comprised within thesecond device rendering the display object for output on the seconddevice.

The method may further comprise causing a second processor comprisedwithin the second device to: generate a second display objectrepresentative of data stored on the second device; and output thesecond display object on the second device; wherein moving the seconddisplay object to an area of the second device on which the displayobject is output causes the first processor to supply the datarepresented by the second display object to the application. In thismanner a user may conveniently supply data stored on, or accessible by,the second device to an application being executed on the first device.For example, ‘drag and drop’ data stored on the second device onto thesecond display object and in response to this action, the data issupplied by the first processor to the application.

The display object output on the second device and/or the display objectoutput on the first device (which may be a read-only display object)may, for example, be representative of a Graphical User Interfaceassociated with the application. Similarly, the display object output onthe second device and/or the display object output on the first devicemay additionally or alternatively be representative or indicative of acurrent status of the application.

In one example, the application executed by the first processor is acalendar application and the display object output on the second deviceis configured to receive a user input of a calendar appointment on thesecond device. As discussed above, the calendar appointment may, forexample, be input to the application by ‘dragging and dropping’ anappointment stored on the second device onto the second display object.Additionally or alternatively, the user may input the calendarappointment via the display object by any other suitable means.

The first device may be a mobile device and/or the second device may bea personal computer.

In a second aspect, a computer-readable medium comprises executableinstructions which, when executed, cause a processor to perform any ofthe above-described methods.

In a third aspect, an electronic device comprises processing circuitryconfigured to perform any of the above-described methods.

In a fourth aspect, an electronic device for generating display objectscomprises a first processor configured to: execute an application;generate a display object associated with the application; transmit thedisplay object to a second device for output by the second device; andreceive user input to the application via the display object output onthe second device, wherein the first processor is not operable receiveuser input to the application via the display object on the firstdevice.

The first processor of the electronic device may be further operable to:execute the application in accordance with a user input received via thedisplay object on the second device.

Additionally or alternatively, the first processor of the electronicdevice may be configured to update the display object in accordance withthe received user input. For example, the first processor may beconfigured to receive, via the display object output on the seconddevice, user input comprising data and to supply, or write, the data tothe application or to memory associated with the application.

The first processor of the electronic device may be configured to outputthe display object on the first device. For example the first device maycomprise a display screen and the first processor may be operable todisplay the display object on the display screen. The display objectoutput on the first device may be a read-only display object associatedwith the application.

The second device may be configured to display the display object on adisplay. For example, the second device may be configured to display thedisplay object on a display screen of the second device and/or any otherdisplay that is coupled (via any suitable wired or wireless connection)to the second device.

The first processor may be configured to modify the display object priorto its transmission to the second device for display. The firstprocessor may, for example, be configured to modify the format and/orone or more characteristics or parameters of the display object inaccordance with requirements or characteristics of the second device.For example, the first processor may be configured to modify the displayobject in accordance with requirements of an operating system and/ordisplay paradigm of the second device.

In one example, the display object is a data object and the firstprocessor is further configured to render the display object for outputon the first device.

The second device may comprise a second processor configured to renderthe display object for output on the second device.

Additionally or alternatively, the second device may comprise a secondprocessor configured to: generate a second display object representativeof data stored on the second device; and output the second displayobject on the second device; wherein moving the second display object toan area of the second device on which the display object is outputcauses the first processor to supply the data represented by the seconddisplay object to the application.

In one example, the first processor is configured to execute a calendarapplication and the display object output on the second device isconfigured to receive a user input of a calendar appointment on thesecond device. As discussed above, the calendar appointment may, forexample, be input to the application by ‘dragging and dropping’ anappointment stored on the second device onto the second display object.Additionally or alternatively, the user may input the calendarappointment via the display object by any other suitable means.

In a fifth aspect, a system for generating display objects comprises afirst electronic device comprising a first processor and a second devicecomprising a second processor wherein the first processor is configuredto: execute an application; generate a display object associated withthe application; transmit the display object to a second device foroutput by the second device; and receive user input to the applicationvia the display object output on the second device, wherein the firstprocessor is not operable receive user input to the application via thedisplay object on the first device.

The second processor may be configured to output the display object bydisplaying it on a display. The second processor may additionally beconfigured to render the display object for output on the second device.Additionally or alternatively, the second processor may modify thedisplay object prior to displaying it on the display.

The first processor of the system may be configured, prior totransmitting the display object to the second device, to modify thedisplay object so that it is suitable for display by the second device.

In one example, the second processor is configured to generate a seconddisplay object representative of data stored on the second device; andoutput the second display object on the second device; wherein movingthe second display object to an area of the second device on which thedisplay object is output causes the first processor to supply the datarepresented by the second display object to the application.

Additionally or alternatively, the first and second processors of thesystem may be configured to perform any of the above-described methods.

Reference is made to FIG. 1 which illustrates an exemplary electronicdevice 201

which is usable in accordance with the disclosure below. An electronicdevice 201 such as the electronic device 201 of FIG. 1 is configured togenerate a user-controllable interface on a built-in display or on aremote, external display device, or on a built-in display and on aremote, external display device. In the context of this disclosure, theterm “remote” means a display screen which is not built-in to theelectronic device 201 with which the electronic device 201 communicatesvia a physical wired connection or via a wireless connection. It will beappreciated that, in other embodiments, some of the features, systems orsubsystems of the electronic device 201 discussed below with referenceto FIG. 1 may be omitted from electronic devices 201 which are intendedto perform solely operations in relation to the generation and output ofdisplay data and the modification of media content output.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the electronic device 201 is acommunication device and, more particularly, is a mobile communicationdevice having data and voice communication capabilities, and thecapability to communicate with other computer systems; for example, viathe Internet. It will be appreciated that the electronic device 201 maytake other forms, including any one of the forms listed below. Dependingon the functionality provided by the electronic device 201, in certainexemplary embodiments, the electronic device 201 is a multiple-modecommunication device configured for both data and voice communication, amobile telephone, such as a smartphone, a wearable computer such as awatch, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or acomputer system such as a notebook, laptop or desktop system. Theelectronic device 201 may take other forms apart from those specificallylisted above. The electronic device 201 may also be referred to as amobile communications device, a communication device, a mobile deviceand, in some cases, as a device. In the context of this disclosure, theterm “mobile” means the device is of a size or weight which makes itreadily portable by a single individual, e.g. of a weight less than 5,4, 3, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2 or 0.1 kilograms, or of a volume lessthan 15,000, 10,000, 5,000, 4,000, 3,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 400, 300,200, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10 or 5 cubic centimetres. Assuch, the device 201 may be portable in a bag, or clothing pocket.

The electronic device 201 includes a controller including a processor240 (such as a microprocessor) which controls the operation of theelectronic device 201. In certain electronic devices, more than oneprocessor is provided, with each processor in communication with eachother and configured to perform operations in parallel, so that theytogether control the overall operation of the electronic device. Theprocessor 240 interacts with device subsystems, such as a wirelesscommunication subsystem 211 for exchanging radio frequency signals witha wireless network 101 to perform communication functions. The processor240 is communicably coupled with additional device subsystems includingone or more output interfaces 205 (such as one or more of: a display204, a speaker 256, electromagnetic (EM) radiation source 257), one ormore input interfaces 206 (such as one or more of: a camera 253,microphone 258, keyboard (not shown), control buttons (not shown), anavigational input device (not shown), a touch-sensitive overlay (notshown)) associated with a touchscreen 204, an orientation subsystem 249,memory (such as flash memory 244, random access memory (RAM) 246, readonly memory (ROM) 248, etc.), auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems250, a data port 252 (which may be a serial data port, such as aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) data port), an external video output port254, a near field communications (NFC) subsystem 265, a short-rangecommunication subsystem 262, a clock subsystem 266, a battery interface236, and other device subsystems generally designated as 264. Some ofthe subsystems shown in FIG. 1 perform communication-related functions,whereas other subsystems may provide “resident” or on-device functions.

The electronic device 201 stores data 227 in an erasable persistentmemory, which in one exemplary embodiment is the flash memory 244. Invarious exemplary embodiments, the data 227 includes service dataincluding information used by the electronic device 201 to establish andmaintain communication with the wireless network 101. The data 227 mayalso include user application data such as email messages, address bookand contact information, calendar and schedule information, notepaddocuments, presentation documents and information, word processordocuments and information, spread sheet documents and information;desktop publishing documents and information, database files andinformation; image files, video files, audio files, internet web pages,and other commonly stored user information stored on the electronicdevice 201 by its user, and other data. The data may also includeprogram application data such as functions, controls and interfaces froman application such as an email application, an address bookapplication, a calendar application, a notepad application, apresentation application, a word processor application, a spread sheetapplication, a desktop publishing application, a database application, amedia application such as a picture viewer, a video player or an audioplayer, and a web browser. The data 227 stored in the persistent memory(e.g. flash memory 244) of the electronic device 201 may be organized,at least partially, into one or more databases or data stores. Thedatabases or data stores may contain data items of the same data type orassociated with the same application. For example, email messages,contact records, and task items may be stored in individual databaseswithin the device memory.

The electronic device 201 includes a clock subsystem or module 266comprising a system clock configured to measure system time. In oneexample, the system clock comprises its own alternate power source. Thesystem clock provides an indicator of a current time value, the systemtime, represented as a year/month/day/hour/minute/second/millisecondsvalue. In other examples, the clock subsystem 266 additionally oralternatively provides an indicator of the current time valuerepresented as a count of the number of ticks of known duration since aparticular epoch.

The clock subsystem 266, the communication subsystem 211, the NFCsubsystem, 265, the short-range wireless communications subsystem 262,and the battery interface 236 together form a status report subsystem268 which is configured to provide an indicator of the operating statusof the device 201.

The display 204 receives display data generated by the processor 240,such that the display 204 displays certain application data stored as asegment of the data 227 from the memory (any of the flash memory 244,random access memory (RAM) 246, read only memory (ROM) 248) in apredetermined way on display screen (not shown) of the display 204,according to the processing performed by the processor 240.

In certain exemplary embodiments, the external video output port 254 isintegrated with the data port 252. The external video output port 254 isconfigured to connect the electronic device 201 via a wired connection(e.g. video graphics array (VGA), digital visual interface (DVI) or highdefinition multimedia interface (HDMI)) to an external (or remote)display device 290 which is separate and remote from the electronicdevice 201 and its display 204. The processor 240 outputs externaldisplay data generated by the processor 240 via the external videooutput port 254, such that the external display device 290 can displayapplication data from the memory module in a predetermined way on anexternal display screen (not shown) of the external display device 290.The processor 240 may also communicate the external display data to theexternal display device 290 in a similar fashion over a wirelesscommunications path.

At any given time, the display data and the external display datagenerated by the processor 240 may be identical or similar for apredetermined period of time, but may also differ for a predeterminedperiod of time, with the processor 240 controlling whether the displaydata and the external display data are identical or differ based oninput from one or more of the input interfaces 206. In this context, theword “identical” means that both sets of data comprise similar contentso as to generate an identical or substantially similar display atsubstantially the same time on both the external display device 290 andthe display 204. In this context, the word “differ” means that theexternal display data and display data are not identical; this is to saythat these data may (but not necessarily) include identical elements ofdata, for example representative of the same application data, but theexternal display data and display data are not wholly identical. Hence,the display on both the external display device 290 and the display 204are not wholly identical, although similar or identical individual itemsof content based on the application data may be displayed on both theexternal display device 290 and the display 204.

In at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device 201includes a touchscreen which acts as both an input interface 206 (e.g.touch-sensitive overlay) and an output interface 205 (i.e. display). Thetouchscreen may be constructed using a touch-sensitive input surfacewhich is connected to an electronic controller and which overlays thedisplay 204. The touch-sensitive overlay and the electronic controllerprovide a touch-sensitive input interface 206 and the processor 240interacts with the touch-sensitive overlay via the electroniccontroller.

The processor 240 is in communication with the memory and thetouch-sensitive input interface 206 to detect user input via the inputinterface 206. The processor 240 then generates or updates display datacomprising a display object for display by the display device 204 inaccordance with the user input. The processor 240 then outputs thedisplay data for display on the display device 204. In an example, theuser input comprises a swipe gesture across the touchscreen interface206.

In at least some exemplary embodiments, the touch-sensitive overlay hasa touch-sensitive input surface which is larger than the display 204.For example, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the touch-sensitiveoverlay may extend overtop of a frame (not shown) which surrounds thedisplay 204. In such exemplary embodiments, the frame (not shown) may bereferred to as an active frame since it is capable of acting as an inputinterface 206. In at least some exemplary embodiments, thetouch-sensitive overlay may extend to the sides of the electronic device201.

As noted above, in some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device 201includes a communication subsystem 211 which allows the electronicdevice 201 to communicate over a wireless network 101. The communicationsubsystem 211 includes a receiver 212, a transmitter 213, and associatedcomponents, such as one or more antenna elements 214 and 215, localoscillators (LOs) 216, and a processing module such as a digital signalprocessor (DSP) 217 which is in communication with the processor 240.The antenna elements 214 and 215 may be embedded or internal to theelectronic device 201 and a single antenna may be shared by bothreceiver and transmitter. The particular design of the wirelesscommunication subsystem 211 depends on the wireless network 101 in whichelectronic device 201 is intended to operate.

In at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device 201communicates with any one of a plurality of fixed transceiver basestations of the wireless network 101 within its geographic coveragearea. The electronic device 201 may send and receive communicationsignals over the wireless network 101 after the required networkregistration or activation procedures have been completed. Signalsreceived by the antenna 214 through the wireless network 101 are inputto the receiver 212, which may perform such common receiver functions assignal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channelselection, etc., as well as analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. A/Dconversion of a received signal allows more complex communicationfunctions such as demodulation and decoding to be performed in the DSP217. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted are processed,including modulation and encoding, for example, by the DSP 217. TheseDSP-processed signals are input to the transmitter 213 fordigital-to-analog (D/A) conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering,amplification, and transmission to the wireless network 101 via theantenna 215. The DSP 217 not only processes communication signals, butmay also provide for receiver and transmitter control. For example, thegains applied to communication signals in the receiver 212 and thetransmitter 213 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gaincontrol algorithms implemented in the DSP 217.

In some exemplary embodiments, the auxiliary input/output (I/O)subsystems 250 include an external communication link or interface; forexample, an Ethernet connection. The electronic device 201 may includeother wireless communication interfaces for communicating with othertypes of wireless networks; for example, a wireless network such as anorthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) network. The auxiliaryI/O subsystems 250 may include a vibrator for providing vibratorynotifications in response to various events on the electronic device 201such as receipt of an electronic communication or incoming phone call,or for other purposes such as haptic feedback (touch feedback).

In some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device 201 also includes aremovable memory module 230 (typically including flash memory, such as aremovable memory card) and a memory interface 232. Network access may beassociated with a subscriber or user of the electronic device 201 viathe memory module 230, which may be a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)card for use in a GSM network or other type of memory card for use inthe relevant wireless network type. The memory module 230 is inserted inor connected to the memory card interface 232 of the electronic device201 in order to operate in conjunction with the wireless network 101.

The data port 252 may be used for synchronization with a user's hostcomputer system (not shown). The data port 252 enables a user to setpreferences through an external device or software application andextends the capabilities of the electronic device 201 by providing forinformation or software downloads to the electronic device 201 otherthan through the wireless network 101. The alternate download path mayfor example, be used to load an encryption key onto the electronicdevice 201 through a direct, reliable and trusted connection to therebyprovide secure device communication.

In at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device 201 alsoincludes a device orientation subsystem 249 including at least oneorientation sensor 251 which is connected to the processor 240 and whichis controlled by one or a combination of a monitoring circuit andoperating software. The orientation sensor 251 detects the orientationof the device 201 or information from which the orientation of thedevice 201 can be determined, such as acceleration. In some exemplaryembodiments, the orientation sensor 251 is an accelerometer, such as athree-axis accelerometer. An accelerometer is a sensor which convertsacceleration from motion (e.g. movement of the device 201 or a portionthereof due to the strike force) and gravity which are detected by asensing element into an electrical signal (producing a correspondingchange in output). Accelerometers may be available in one, two or threeaxis configurations. Higher order axis configurations are also possible.Accelerometers may produce digital or analog output signals depending onthe type of accelerometer.

An orientation sensor 251 may generate orientation data which specifiesthe orientation of the electronic device 201. The orientation data, inat least some exemplary embodiments, specifies the orientation of thedevice 201 relative to the gravitational field of the earth.Additionally or alternatively, the orientation sensor 251 may generateorientation data which specifies the orientation of the device relativeto known locations or fixtures in a communication network.

In some exemplary embodiments, the orientation subsystem 249 includesother orientation sensors 251, instead of or in addition toaccelerometers. For example, in various exemplary embodiments, theorientation subsystem 249 may include a gravity sensor, a gyroscope, atilt sensor, an electronic compass or other suitable sensor, orcombinations thereof. In some exemplary embodiments, the deviceorientation subsystem 249 may include two or more orientation sensors251 such as an accelerometer and an electronic compass.

The electronic device 201, in at least some exemplary embodiments,includes a Near-Field Communication (NFC) subsystem 265. The NFCsubsystem 265 is configured to communicate with other electronic devices201 or tags, using an NFC communications protocol. NFC is a set ofshort-range wireless technologies which typically require a distance of4 cm or less for communications. The NFC subsystem 265 may include anNFC chip and an NFC antenna. In such an embodiment, the orientationsensor 251 may generate data which specifies a distance between theelectronic device 201 and an NFC transceiver.

The electronic device 201 includes a microphone or one or more speakers.In at least some exemplary embodiments, an electronic device 201includes a plurality of speakers 256. For example, in some exemplaryembodiments, the electronic device 201 includes two or more speakers256. The two or more speakers 256 may, for example, be disposed inspaced relation to one another. That is, in at least some exemplaryembodiments, the electronic device 201 may include a first speaker and asecond speaker and the first speaker and the second speaker may bespatially separated from one another within the electronic device 201.In at least some exemplary embodiments, the display 204 may be disposedbetween the first speaker and the second speaker of the electronicdevice. In such exemplary embodiments, the first speaker may be locatedat one side of the display 204 and the second speaker may be located atanother side of the display which is opposite the side of the displaywhere the first speaker is located. For example, the first speaker maybe disposed at a left side of the display and the second speaker may bedisposed at a right side of the display.

In at least some exemplary embodiments, each speaker 256 is associatedwith a separate audio channel. The multiple speakers may, for example,be used to provide stereophonic sound (which may also be referred to asstereo).

The electronic device 201 may also include one or more cameras 253. Theone or more cameras 253 may be capable of capturing images in the formof still photographs or motion video.

In at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device 201includes a front facing camera 253. A front facing camera is a camerawhich is generally located on a front face of the electronic device 201.The front face is typically the face on which a display 204 is mounted.That is, the display 204 is configured to display content which may beviewed from a side of the electronic device 201 where the camera 253 isdirected. The front facing camera 253 may be located anywhere on thefront surface of the electronic device; for example, the camera 253 maybe located above or below the display 204. The camera 253 may be a fixedposition camera which is not movable relative to the display 204 of theelectronic device 201 or the housing of the electronic device 201. Insuch exemplary embodiments, the direction of capture of the camera isalways predictable relative to the display 204 or the housing. In atleast some exemplary embodiments, the camera may be provided in acentral location relative to the display 204 to facilitate imageacquisition of a face.

In at least some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device 201includes an electromagnetic (EM) radiation source 257. In at least someexemplary embodiments, the EM radiation source 257 is configured to emitelectromagnetic radiation from the side of the electronic device whichis associated with a camera 253 of that electronic device 201. Forexample, where the camera is a front facing camera 253, the electronicdevice 201 may be configured to emit electromagnetic radiation from thefront face of the electronic device 201. That is, in at least someexemplary embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation source 257 isconfigured to emit radiation in a direction which may visible by thecamera. That is, the camera 253 and the electromagnetic radiation source257 may be disposed on the electronic device 201 so that electromagneticradiation emitted by the electromagnetic radiation source 257 is visiblein images detected by the camera.

In some exemplary embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation source 257is an infrared (IR) radiation source which is configured to emitinfrared radiation. In at least some exemplary embodiments, theelectromagnetic radiation source 257 may be configured to emit radiationwhich is not part of the visible spectrum. The camera 253 may be acamera which is configured to capture radiation of the type emitted bythe electromagnetic radiation source 257. Accordingly, in at least someexemplary embodiments, the camera 253 is configured to capture at leastsome electromagnetic radiation which is not in the visible spectrum.

In some exemplary embodiments, the electronic device 201 is providedwith a service routing application programming interface (API) whichprovides an application with the ability to route traffic through aserial data (i.e., USB) or Bluetooth® (Bluetooth® is a registeredtrademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.) connection to a host computer systemusing standard connectivity protocols. When a user connects theirelectronic device 201 to the host computer system via a USB cable orBluetooth® connection, traffic that was destined for the wirelessnetwork 101 is automatically routed to the electronic device 201 usingthe USB cable or Bluetooth® connection. Similarly, any traffic destinedfor the wireless network 101 is automatically sent over the USB cableBluetooth® connection to the host computer system for processing.

The electronic device 201 also includes a battery 238 as a power source,which is typically one or more rechargeable batteries that may becharged for example, through charging circuitry coupled to a batteryinterface 236 such as the data port 252. The battery 238 provideselectrical power to at least some of the electrical circuitry in theelectronic device 201, and the battery interface 236 provides amechanical and electrical connection for the battery 238. The batteryinterface 236 is coupled to a regulator (not shown) which provides powerV+ to the circuitry of the electronic device 201.

The electronic device 201 includes a short-range communication subsystem262 which provides for wireless communication between the electronicdevice 201 and other electronic devices 201. In at least some exemplaryembodiments, the short-range communication subsystem 262 is a wirelessbus protocol compliant communication mechanism such as a Bluetooth®communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabledsystems and devices.

Any one or more of the communication subsystem 211, the NFC subsystem265 and the short-range wireless communications subsystem 262 serves asa “communication subsystem” which is configured to provide an indicatorof an incoming message being received by the electronic device 201. Theincoming message may be an email, a message received via a socialnetworking website, an SMS (short message service) message, or atelephone call, for example.

The electronic device 201 is, in some exemplary embodiments, a mobilecommunication device which may provide two principal modes ofcommunication: a data communication mode and a voice communication mode.In the data communication mode, a received data signal such as a textmessage, an email message, or Web page download will be processed by thecommunication subsystem 211 and input to the processor 240 for furtherprocessing. For example, a downloaded Web page may be further processedby a browser application or an email message may be processed by anemail messaging application and output to the display 204. A user of theelectronic device 201 can compose data items, such as email messages;for example, using the input devices in conjunction with the display204. These composed items may be transmitted through the communicationsubsystem 211 over the wireless network 101.

In the voice communication mode, the electronic device 201 providestelephony functions and operates as a typical cellular phone. Theoverall operation is similar, except that the received signals would beoutput to the speaker 256 and signals for transmission would begenerated by a transducer such as the microphone 258. The telephonyfunctions are provided by a combination of software/firmware (i.e., avoice communication module) and hardware (i.e., the microphone 258, thespeaker 256 and input interfaces 206). Alternative voice or audio I/Osubsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also beimplemented on the electronic device 201. Although voice or audio signaloutput is typically accomplished primarily through the speaker 256, thedisplay screen 204 may also be used to provide an indication of theidentity of a calling party, duration of a voice call, or other voicecall related information.

The processor 240 operates under stored program control and executessoftware modules 221 stored in memory such as persistent memory; forexample, in the flash memory 244. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , thesoftware modules 221 include operating system software 223 and othersoftware applications 225 such as a media player module 260. In theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , the media player module 260 isimplemented as a stand-alone application 225. However, in otherexemplary embodiments, the presentation module 260 could be implementedas part of the operating system 223 or other applications 225.

As discussed above, electronic devices 201 which are configured toperform operations in relation to a communications log may take avariety of forms. In at least some exemplary embodiments, one or more ofthe electronic devices which are configured to perform operations inrelation to the presentation module 260 are a smart phone or a tabletcomputer.

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a front view of an exemplary electronic device201 which in one example may be a mobile device 100 is illustrated. Themobile device 100 may, for example, be a smartphone, which is a mobilephone that offers more advanced computing capability than a basiccellular phone. For example, the mobile device 100 may have the abilityto run third party applications which are stored thereon.

The mobile device 100 includes all of the components discussed abovewith reference to FIG. 1 , or a subset of those components. The mobiledevice 100 includes a housing 104 which houses at least some of thecomponents discussed above with reference to FIG. 1 .

In the exemplary embodiment, the mobile device 100 includes a display204, which may be a touchscreen which acts as an input interface 206.The display 204 is disposed within the mobile device 100 so that it isviewable at a front side 102 of the mobile device 100. That is, aviewable side of the display 204 is disposed on the front side 102 ofthe mobile device 100. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, thedisplay 204 is framed by the housing 104.

The example mobile device 100 also includes other input interfaces 206such as one or more buttons, keys or navigational input mechanisms. Inthe example illustrated, at least some of these additional inputinterfaces 206 are disposed for actuation at a front side 102 of themobile device.

The example mobile device 100 also includes a speaker 256. In theexemplary embodiment illustrated, the mobile device includes a singlespeaker 256 which is disposed vertically above the display 204 when themobile device 100 is held in a portrait orientation where its height islonger than its width. The speaker 256 may be disposed on the front faceof the mobile device 100.

While the example mobile device 100 of FIG. 2 includes a single speaker256, in other exemplary embodiments, the mobile device 100 may include agreater number of speakers 256. For example, in at least some exemplaryembodiments, the mobile device 100 may include a second speaker 256which is disposed vertically below the display 204 when the mobiledevice 100 is held in a portrait orientation where its height is longerthan its width (i.e. the orientation illustrated in FIG. 2 ).

The example mobile device 100 also includes a microphone 258. In theexample illustrated, the microphone 258 is vertically disposed below thedisplay 204 when the mobile device is held in the portrait orientation.The microphone 258 and at least one speaker 256 may be arranged so thatthe microphone is in close proximity to a user's mouth and the speaker256 is in close proximity to a user's ear when the user holds the phoneto their face to converse on the mobile device.

The example mobile device 100 also includes a front facing camera 253which may be located vertically above the display 204 when the mobiledevice 100 is held in a portrait orientation where its height is longerthan its width. The front facing camera 253 is located so that it maycapture images of objects which are located in front of or surroundingthe front side of the mobile device 100.

The example mobile device 100 also includes an electromagnetic radiationsource 257. The electromagnetic radiation source 257 is disposed on thefront side 102 of the mobile device 100. In this orientation,electromagnetic radiation which is produced by the electromagneticradiation source 257 may be projected onto objects which are located infront of or surrounding the front side of the mobile device 100. Suchelectromagnetic radiation (or the projection of electromagneticradiation onto objects) may be captured on images detected by the camera253.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a front view of an alternative electronicdevice 201, which in one example may be a tablet computer 300, isillustrated. The tablet computer 300 may include the componentsdiscussed above with reference to FIG. 1 or a subset of thosecomponents. The tablet computer 300 includes a housing 304 which housesat least some of the components discussed above with reference to FIG. 1.

The tablet computer 300 includes a display 204, which may be atouchscreen which acts as an input interface 206. The display 204 isdisposed within the tablet computer 300 so that it is viewable at afront side 302 of the tablet computer 300. That is, a viewable side ofthe display 204 is disposed on the front side 302 of the tablet computer300. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the display 204 is framedby the housing 304.

A frame 312 surrounds the display 204. The frame 312 is portion of thehousing 304 which provides a border around the display 204. In at leastsome exemplary embodiments, the frame 312 is an active frame 312. Thatis, the frame has a touch sensitive overlay which allows the electronicdevice 201 to detect a touch applied to the frame thus allowing theframe 312 to act as an input interface 206 (FIG. 1 ).

The exemplary tablet computer 300 includes a plurality of speakers 256.In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the tablet includes twospeakers 256. The two speakers 256 are disposed on opposing sides of thedisplay 204. More particularly, when the tablet computer 300 is held ina landscape orientation (such as the orientation illustrated in FIG. 3 )where its width is longer than its height, one of the two speakers isdisposed on a right side 306 of the display 204 and one of the speakersis disposed on the left side 308 of the display 204.

Both speakers 256 are disposed on the front side 302 of the tabletcomputer 300.

The exemplary tablet computer 300 also includes a microphone 258. In theexample illustrated, the microphone 258 is vertically disposed below thedisplay 204 when the tablet computer is held in the landscapeorientation illustrated in FIG. 3 . The microphone 258 may be located inother locations in other exemplary embodiments.

The exemplary tablet computer 300 also includes a front facing camera253 which may be located vertically above the display 204 when thetablet computer 300 is held in a landscape orientation (i.e. theorientation of FIG. 3 ). The front facing camera 253 is located so thatit may capture images of objects which are located in front of orsurrounding the front side of the tablet computer 300.

The example tablet computer 300 also includes an electromagneticradiation source 257. The electromagnetic radiation source 257 isdisposed on the front side 304 of the tablet computer 300. In thisorientation, electromagnetic radiation which is produced by theelectromagnetic radiation source 257 may be projected onto objects whichare located in front of or surrounding the front side 302 of the tabletcomputer 300. Such electromagnetic radiation (or the projection ofelectromagnetic radiation onto objects) may be captured on imagesdetected by the camera 253.

The tablet computer 300 may have the ability to run third partyapplications which are stored on the tablet computer.

The electronic device 201, which may be tablet computer 300, is usableby an end-user to send and receive communications using electroniccommunication services supported by a service provider.

The end-user of an electronic device 201 may send and receivecommunications with different entities using different electroniccommunication services. Those services may or may not be accessibleusing one or more particular electronic devices. For example, acommunication source of an end-user's text messages sent and received byan end-user using a particular electronic device 201 having a particularmemory module 230, such as a USIM, may be accessible using that device201, but those text messages may not be accessible using another devicehaving a different memory module. Other electronic communicationsources, such as a web-based email account, may be accessible via aweb-site using a browser on any internet-enabled electronic device.

FIG. 4 shows a system of networked apparatus by which electroniccommunications can be sent and received using multiple electronicdevices 201 a, 201 b, 201 c. Referring to FIG. 4 , electronic devices201 a, 201 b and 201 c are connected to wireless network 101 to performvoice and data communications, and to transmit data to an externaldisplay device 290 residing on the wireless network. Wireless network101 is also connected to the communications network 400, e.g. Internet.Electronic device 201 a may be a tablet computer similar to tabletcomputer 300 described in FIG. 2 above. Electronic devices 201 b and 201c may be smartphones. Electronic device 201 d is a computing device suchas a notebook, laptop or desktop, or personal computer which isconnected by a wired broadband connection to Local Area Network 420, andwhich is also connected to the communications network 400. Electronicdevices 201 a, b, c, d may access the communications network 400 toperform data communications therewith.

Servers 410 a, 410 b, 410 c and 410 d are also connected to thecommunications network 400 and one or more of them may individually ortogether support electronic communications services available toend-users of electronic devices 201 a, 201 b, 201 c and 201 d, enablingthem to send and receive electronic communications. Servers 410 a, 410b, 410 c and 410 d may be web servers or communications servers, such asemail servers. For example, servers 401 a-d may be part of a ‘cloud’ ofinformation servers from which data may be accessed via the network 400.

Other servers and services may of course be provided allowing users ofelectronic devices 201 a, 201 b, 201 c and 201 d to send and receiveelectronic communications by, for example, Voice over IP phone calls,video IP calls, video chat, group video chat, blogs, file transfers,instant messaging, and feeds.

Wireless network 101 may also support electronic communications withoutusing communications network 400. For example, a user of smart phone 201b may use wireless network 101 to make telephony calls, video calls,send text messages, send multimedia messages, and send instant messagesto smart phone 201 c, and to display application data on a displayscreen of the external display device 290, or control the display ofapplication data.

The example shown in FIG. 4 is intended to be non-limiting andadditional network infrastructure may of course be provided, such as aPublic Switched Telephone Network (not shown), which may be used, forexample, to make telephony calls using smartphone 201 b to a wired phone(not shown).

FIG. 5 shows a first device 100 in communication with a second device500. In what follows the first device 100 will be referred to as amobile device 100 and the second device 500 will be referred to as apersonal computer. However, it will be appreciated that this is by wayof example only and that the first device 100 and/or the second device500 may alternatively be any suitable electronic device 201, e.g. amobile device 100, a tablet computer 300, a laptop (portable personalcomputer, notebook etc.), a desktop computer, etc.

The mobile device 100 and the personal computer 500 may communicate witheach other using any suitable wired or wireless connection. The mobiledevice 100 and the personal computer 500 may operate on the same networkwhich may be wired or wireless and may communicate via this network. Themobile device 100 and the personal computer 500 may additionally oralternatively establish a communication connection via their respectiveshort-range communication subsystems 262. In one embodiment, theshort-range communication subsystem 262 is a wireless network protocolcompliant communication mechanism such as an ad-hoc or routed WiFicommunication mechanism, e.g. 802.11a, b, g or n. In at least someexemplary embodiments, the short-range communication subsystem 262 is awireless bus protocol compliant communication mechanism such as aBluetooth® communication module to provide for communication between thetwo similarly-enabled devices. Alternatively, the mobile device 100 andthe personal computer 500 may be connected or ‘docked’ using a physicalconnection, such as a USB cable via the auxiliary I/O) subsystems 250, ahigh-definition multimedia interface, a HDMI connection or any othersuitable connection.

In order to explain exemplary modes of operation, reference is madebelow to FIGS. 6 to 10 .

FIG. 6 shows a method 600 performed by a processor 240 for generating adisplay object for output on the display screen 204 a of the mobiledevice 100 and the display screen 204 b of the personal computer 500.FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B depict the display screens 204 a and 204 b andthe display object 700 that is output by the processor 240 duringperformance of the method 600.

It will be appreciated that whilst FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A and 8B depict asingle display object 700, multiple display objects 700 may also beoutput during performance of the method 600. Similarly, a display object700 may comprise one or more display objects, or elements, which combineto form the display object 700.

At block 602, the processor 240 of the mobile device 100 executes or‘runs’ one or more applications or processes stored on, or accessibleby, the mobile device 100.

At block 604, the processor 240 of the mobile device 100 generates adisplay object 700 pertaining to the application being executed by theprocessor 240. The display object 700 may be referred to as an ‘activedisplay object’ as it pertains to an application that is currently‘active’, e.g. being executed by the processor 240 (in the background orforeground). For example, the display object 700 may be representativeof one or more of: a Graphical User Interface (GUI) of the application;a current status or ‘context’ of the application; and content (or data)associated with the application.

At block 606, the processor 240 outputs an display object 700 on thedisplay screen 204 a of the mobile device 100. The display object 700output on the screen 204 a may, for example, be a miniaturised (orreduced size) representation such as a thumbnail image or ‘active tile’representation of the application GUI or an icon representation of theapplication. The processor 240 may output a plurality of such tiles onthe display 204 a at a given time. During execution of an application,the processor may update an display object 700 pertaining to theapplication in accordance with a current status of the application. Inthis manner, the processor 240 provides information about the status ofthe application whilst also providing information about further displayobjects output on the screen 204 a.

The display object 700 output on the display screen 204 a may be aselectable or actionable display object, the selection of which causesthe processor 240 to display (or maximise the display of) theapplication GUI, thereby enabling the user to select or view theapplication to which the display object 700 pertains. The processor 240may output a plurality of display objects 700 at a given time, therebyallowing a user to switch between active applications. In this manner,the user can easily select a required one of a plurality of applicationsbeing executed by the processor 240.

In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7A and 8A, the processor240 of the mobile device 100 executes a BlackBerry® messengerapplication and outputs, on the display screen 204 a, an display object700 indicative of information associated with the application. In theexemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7B and 8B, the processor 240 ofthe mobile device 100 executes a calendar application and outputs, onthe display screen 204 a, an display object 700 indicative of calendaror appointment information associated with a specific date.

At block 608, the processor 240 transmits or communicates the displayobject 700 to the personal computer 500 for display on the displayscreen 204 b. The display object 700 transmitted by the processor 240 ofthe mobile device 100 may comprise a data object (or data structure), inwhich case the processor of the personal computer 500 renders the dataobject before outputting it on the display screen 204 b. Alternatively,the display object 700 may be rendered by the processor 240 of themobile device 100 before transmission to the personal computer 500. Inthis case, the processor of the personal computer 500 may not need toperform further rendering of the data object 700 before outputting it onthe display screen 204 b.

Transmission and/or rendering of the display object 700 to the personalcomputer 500 may comprise modifying (e.g.: translating, adapting,converting, moving and/or resizing etc.) the display object 700 so thatit is in a suitable format for display on the display screen 204 b. Inthis manner, the display object 700 may be translated to compensate (oradjust) for differences between the display screen 204 a of the mobiledevice 100 and the display screen 204 b of the personal computer 500.For example, the display object 700 may be translated to account for thedisplay screen 204 b of the personal computer 500 having a differentresolution (e.g. as measured by Dots Per Inch (DPI) or Pixels Per Inch(PPI), etc.) to that of the display screen 204 a of the mobile device100. Additionally or alternatively, the display object 700 may betranslated so that it matches the host user experience (UX) or userinterface (UI) paradigm.

Translation of the display object 700 may be performed by the processor240 of the mobile device 100. Additionally or alternatively, thetranslation of the display object 700 may be performed by the processorof the personal computer 500. In this manner, processing can bedistributed between the mobile device 100 and the personal computer 500to optimise the resulting UI and/or UX paradigm.

The display object 700 output on the screen 204 b may comprise a widget,control, or charm pertaining to information associated with theapplication and allowing a user to manipulate, modify, or interact with,the application or data pertaining to the application via the personalcomputer 500. For example, the display object 700 output on the personalcomputer 500 may comprise one or more of a window, button, menu, or textbox via which user input to the application being executed by theprocessor 240 of the mobile device 100. In this manner the personalcomputer 500 and, in particular, the display object 700 output on thescreen 204 b provide an input interface 206 for the application beingexecuted on the mobile device 100.

Whilst the processor of the personal computer 500 outputs the displayobject 700, the processor 240 of the mobile device 100 may modify thedisplay object 700 output on the screen 204 a so that it is no longer aselectable display object. The processor 240 of the mobile device 100may instead output the display object 700 so that it is a ‘read-only’display object that provides information pertaining to the applicationbut does not provide a means of manipulating or interacting with theapplication.

In this manner, a user can interact with applications running on amobile device 100 via a personal computer operating system (OS).Furthermore, by receiving inputs to the application via the displayobject output on the second device but not the display object output onthe mobile device 100, no modification of the application executablecode is required.

Additionally or alternatively, whilst the processor of the personalcomputer 500 outputs the display object 700, the processor 240 of themobile device 100 may cease output of the display object 700 on thedisplay screen 204 a, or simply not output the display object 700 atall. For example, when a connection is established between the mobiledevice 100 and the personal computer 500, the display screen 204 a maybe dimmed or deactivated, for example to save power, in which case thedisplay object 700 ceases to be displayed on the display screen 204 a,whilst optionally still allowing the user to interact with applicationsbeing executed by the processor 240 of the mobile device 100.

In addition to outputting the display object 700, the processor of thepersonal computer 500 may output one or more further display objectspertaining to data and/or applications stored on, or accessible to thepersonal computer 500. In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8Aand 8B, the processor of the personal computer 500 outputs selectabledisplay objects 702 in addition to the display object 700. Userselection of a selectable display object 702 causes the processor of thepersonal computer 500 to execute an application or process to which theselectable display object 702 pertains.

At block 610, the processor 240 of the mobile device 100 receives userinput to the application via the display object 700 output on thedisplay screen 204 b. The user input may comprise any form of input to,or interaction with, the application to which the display object 700pertains. For example, the user input may comprise an input of a commandassociated with the application and/or a character string, image or anyother data associated with the application to which the display object700 pertains.

It will be appreciated that selection of the display object 700 that isoutput on the display screen 204 a is not the same as providing userinput to the application via the display object 700 that is output onthe display screen 204 b. In particular, selection of the display object700 causes the processor to display (or maximise the display of) theapplication to which the display object 700 pertains. In this manner,the provision of the display object 700 on the display screen 204 aenables the user to easily switch between multiple applications beingexecuted by the processor 240.

On the other hand, providing user input to the application via thedisplay object 700 that is output on the display screen 204 b comprisesinteracting with the application and/or the manner in which theapplication is executed. For example, the provision of user input maycomprise inputting one or more of data, commands and control signals tothe processor 240, responsive to which the processor 240 executes theapplication in accordance with the received input.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an exemplary method of receiving userinput via the display object 700 at block 610 of method 600. FIG. 10depicts the display screens 204 a and 204 b and the display object 700that are output by the processor 240 during performance of the method900. It will be appreciated that whilst FIGS. 9 and 10 depict a singledisplay object 700, multiple display objects 700 may also be outputduring receipt of user input at block 610.

At block 902, a processor of the personal computer 500 generates asecond display object 1002 pertaining to data stored in, or accessibleto, the personal computer 500. The data may, for example, be stored in amemory such as the flash memory 244, the random access memory (RAM) 246,the read only memory (ROM) 248, etc. which is in communication with thepersonal computer 500 via any suitable wired or wireless connection.

The data to which the second display object 1002 pertains may be audio,image, text, or any other type of data and may be associated with anapplication being executed by the processor of the personal computer500.

At block 904, the processor of the personal computer 500 outputs thesecond display object on the screen 204 b. In the exemplary outputdepicted in FIG. 10 , the display object 1002 pertains to informationabout an appointment associated with a calendar application beingexecuted by the processor of the personal computer 500. The displayobject 1002 is output on an area of display screen 204 b associated witha display object pertaining to the calendar application being executedby the laptop processor.

At block 906, the processor of the personal computer 500 receives a userinput comprising ‘dragging and dropping’ the display object 1002 ontothe display object 700. As is known in the art, ‘dragging and dropping’a display object comprises a user selecting (or ‘grabbing’) the displayobject 1002, which is output on a first area of a display screen, and‘dragging’ or moving the display object 1002 from the first area of thedisplay screen to a second area of the display screen.

As depicted in FIG. 10 , a user input comprising dragging and droppingthe display object 1002 onto the display object 700 comprises the userselecting the display object 1002 and moving it from a first output areaon the screen 204 b to an area of the screen 204 b on which at leastpart of the display object 700 is output.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10 , the display object 1002representing a calendar appointment is dragged from its location withinthe display object associated with the calendar application beingexecuted by the laptop processor, and ‘dropped’ or moved to an area onwhich at least a part of the display object 700 is output (whichpertains to a calendar application being executed by the processor 240of the mobile device 100).

At block 908, responsive to the display object 1002 being ‘dropped’ ontothe display object 700, the processor 240 of the mobile device 100supplies the data associated with the display object 1002 to theapplication to which the display object 700 pertains.

In the example of FIG. 10 , responsive to the display object 1002 beingdropped onto an area of the display object 700, the processor 240 of themobile device 100 supplies the calendar appointment data depicted by thedisplay object 1002 to the calendar application being executed on themobile device 100 (i.e. the calendar application to which the displayobject 700 pertains). In this manner, data can be easily transferredfrom the personal computer 500 to an application running on the mobiledevice 100.

It will be appreciated that, in addition to the examples discussed inrelation to FIGS. 9 and 10 , data may be alternatively be input from thepersonal computer 500 via the display object 700 using any othersuitable techniques, such as copying and pasting etc.

Irrespective of the type of user input received via the display object700 on the display screen 204 b, responsive to the receipt of the inputthe processor 240 of the mobile device 100 may update the display object700 output on the screen 204 a and/or the screen 204 b to reflect theuser input. For example, if the display object 700 output on the screen204 b is a window into which a user enters a character string, theprocessor 240 of the mobile device 100 may update or re-generate thedisplay object 700 output on the screen 204 a and/or the screen 204 b toreflect the character string.

Similarly, if the display object 700 is representative of a calendarapplication and the input received by the processor 240 comprises datarelating to an appointment, the processor 240 may update or re-generatethe display object 700 to display the input appointment details.

The processor 240 may update the display object 700 on receipt of aninput. Additionally or alternatively, the processor 240 of the mobiledevice 100 may update the display object 700 at regular or irregularintervals whilst executing the application to which the display object700 pertains.

At block 612, the processor 240 of the mobile device 100 executes,updates, or manipulates the application in accordance with the receiveduser input. For example if the user input comprises a command orinstruction associated with execution of the application, the processor240 of the mobile device 100 may execute the application in accordancewith the command. Similarly if the user input comprises data input, theprocessor 240 of the mobile device 100 may store the data in a memoryassociated with the application. For example, if the display object 700pertains to a calendar application and appointment data input isreceived via the display object 700 on the display screen 204 b, theprocessor 240 of the mobile device 100 may save the input appointmentdata in a memory associated with the calendar application.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing discussion relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention. However, in other embodiments,the order in which steps are performed may be changed or one or more ofthe described steps may be omitted.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of generating a display object,wherein the method comprises: executing, by a first device, anapplication; generating, by the first device, a display objectassociated with the application; displaying, by the first device, thedisplay object on a first display of the first device, wherein thedisplay object is presented as one element within a graphical userinterface; modifying, by the first device, the display object to asuitable format for display on a second display of a second device;transmitting, by the first device, the display object modified to thesuitable format for display on the second display to the second devicefor rendering on the second display while the display object isdisplayed on the first display, wherein the display object is presentedon the second display as an active object configured to receive one ormore user inputs by way of a direct user interaction with the displayobject at the second device, wherein the second display has a differentsize than the first display; receiving, by the first device from thesecond device, the one or more user inputs to the application; updating,by the first device, the application based on the one or more userinputs received via the display object at the second device; generating,by the second device, a second display object representative of datastored on the second device; displaying the second display object on thesecond display; moving the second display object to an area of thesecond device on which the modified display object is displayed;transmitting, in response to moving the second display object to thearea, the second display object to the first device; updating, by thefirst device in response to receiving the second display object, thedisplay object displayed on the first device based on the data of thesecond display object; and storing, by the application executing on thefirst device, the data of the second display object on the first device.2. The method of claim 1, wherein the display object is a data object.3. The method of claim 1, further comprising updating the display objectin accordance with the one or more user inputs.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein the display object displayed on the first device is aread-only display object associated with the application.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein one or both of the display object and the read-onlydisplay object are representative of a Graphical User Interfaceassociated with the application.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein oneor both of the display object and the read-only display object arerepresentative of a current status of the application.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the application is a calendar application and thedisplay object is configured to receive a user input of a calendarappointment on the second device.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein thefirst device is a mobile device.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein thesecond device is a personal computer.
 10. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising executable instructions which, whenexecuted by a processor of a first device, cause the first device to:execute an application; generate a display object associated with theapplication; display the display object on a first display of the firstdevice, wherein the display object is presented as one element within agraphical user interface; modify the display object at the first deviceto a suitable format for display on a second display of a second device;transmit the display object modified to the suitable format for displayon the second display to the second device for rendering on the seconddisplay while the display object is displayed on the first display,wherein the display object is presented on the second display as anactive object configured to receive one or more user inputs by way of adirect user interaction with the display object at the second device,wherein the second display has a different size than the first display;receive, from the second device, the one or more user inputs to theapplication; update, by the first device, the application based on theone or more user inputs received via the display object at the seconddevice; generate, by the second device, a second display objectrepresentative of data stored on the second device; display the seconddisplay object on the second display; move the second display object toan area of the second device on which the modified display object isdisplayed; transmit, in response to moving the second display object tothe area, the second display object to the first device; update, by thefirst device in response to receiving the second display object, thedisplay object displayed on the first device based on the data of thesecond display object; and store, by the application executing on thefirst device, the data of the second display object on the first device.11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein theapplication is a calendar application and the display object isconfigured to receive a user input of a calendar appointment on thesecond device.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim10, wherein the first device is a mobile device.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the second device is apersonal computer.
 14. A first electronic device comprising: a display;a memory configured to store instructions; a processor in communicationwith the first display and the memory, wherein the processor isconfigured to execute the instructions to cause the first electronicdevice to: execute an application; generate a display object associatedwith the application; display the display object on the first display,wherein the display object is presented as one element within agraphical user interface; modify the display object to a suitable formatfor display on a second display of a second electronic device while thedisplay object is being displayed on the first electronic device;transmit the display object modified to the suitable format for displayon the second display to the second electronic device for rendering anddisplay on the second display while the display object is displayed onthe first display, wherein the display object is presented on the seconddisplay as a local active object configured to receive one or more userinputs for the application by way of a direct user interaction with thedisplay object; receive the one or more user inputs to the applicationfrom the second electronic device; and update the application based onthe one or more user inputs received from the second electronic device;generate, by the second electronic device, a second display objectrepresentative of data stored on the second electronic device; displaythe second display object on the second display; move the second displayobject to an area of the second electronic device on which the modifieddisplay object is displayed; transmit, in response to moving the seconddisplay object to the area, the second display object to the firstelectronic device; update, by the first electronic device in response toreceiving the second display object, the display object displayed on thefirst electronic device based on the data of the second display object;and store, by the application executing on the first electronic device,the data of the second display object on the first electronic device.15. The first electronic device of claim 14, wherein the display objectis a data object.
 16. The first electronic device of claim 14, whereinthe instructions further cause the first electronic device to update thedisplay object in accordance with the one or more user inputs.
 17. Thefirst electronic device of claim 14, wherein the one or more user inputsreceived from the second electronic device comprises data, and whereinthe instructions further cause the first electronic device to supply thedata to the application.
 18. The first electronic device of claim 14,wherein the display object displayed on the first electronic device is aread-only display object associated with the application.
 19. The firstelectronic device of claim 18, wherein one or both of the display objectand the read-only display object are representative of a Graphical UserInterface associated with the application.
 20. The first electronicdevice of claim 18, wherein one or both of the display object and theread-only display object are representative of a current status of theapplication.
 21. The first electronic device of claim 14, wherein theapplication is a calendar application and wherein the display object isconfigured to receive a user input of a calendar appointment from thesecond electronic device.
 22. The first electronic device of claim 14,wherein the first electronic device is a mobile device.
 23. The firstelectronic device of claim 22, wherein the second electronic device is apersonal computer.
 24. A system for generating display objects, whereinthe system comprises: a first electronic device comprising: a firstdisplay; a first memory configured to store first instructions; and afirst processor in communication with the first display and the firstmemory, wherein the first processor is configured to execute the firstinstructions to cause the first electronic device to: execute anapplication; generate a display object associated with the application;display the display object on the first display, wherein the displayobject is presented as one element within a graphical user interface;modify the display object to a suitable format for display on a seconddisplay of a second electronic device; and transmit the display objectmodified to the suitable format for display on the second display to thesecond electronic device; and the second electronic device comprising:the second display; a second memory configured to store secondinstructions; and a second processor in communication with the seconddisplay and the second memory, wherein the second processor isconfigured to execute the second instructions to cause the secondelectronic device to: receive the display object from the firstelectronic device; display the display object on the second display;receive one or more user inputs for the application by way of userinteraction with the display object; and transmit the one or more userinputs to the first electronic device, wherein the first instructionsfurther cause the first electronic device to: receive the user input tothe application from the second electronic device; update theapplication based on the user input to the application; wherein thesecond instructions further cause the second electronic device to:generate a second display object representative of data stored on thesecond electronic device; display the second display object on thesecond display; move the second display object to an area of the secondelectronic device on which the modified display object is displayed;transmit, in response to moving the second display object to the area,the second display object to the first electronic device; wherein thefirst instructions further cause the first electronic device to: update,in response to receiving the second display object, the display objectdisplayed on the first electronic device based on the data of the seconddisplay object; and store, by the application executing on the firstelectronic device, the data of the second display object on the firstelectronic device.
 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the applicationis a calendar application and the display object is configured toreceive a user input of a calendar appointment on the second electronicdevice.
 26. The system of claim 24, wherein the first electronic deviceis a mobile device.
 27. The system of claim 24, wherein the secondelectronic device is a personal computer.